Virginia, Minnesota

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Virginia, Minnesota
settlement_type = City
nickname =
motto =

imagesize =
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image_

mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location of Virginia, Minnesota


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Minnesota
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = St. Louis

government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title =
leader_name =
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
established_title =
established_date =

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 49.7
area_land_km2 = 48.8
area_water_km2 = 0.9
area_total_sq_mi = 19.2
area_land_sq_mi = 18.8
area_water_sq_mi = 0.4

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 9157
population_density_km2 = 187.7
population_density_sq_mi = 486.1

timezone = Central (CST)
utc_offset = -6
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 438
elevation_ft = 1437
latd = 47 |latm = 31 |lats = 2 |latNS = N
longd = 92 |longm = 32 |longs = 29 |longEW = W

postal_code_type =
postal_code =
area_code = 218
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 27-67288GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0662719GR|3
website =
footnotes =

Virginia is a city in St. Louis County, Minnesota, USA, on the Mesabi Iron Range. The population was 9,157 at the 2000 census. According to a water tower in the middle of town, the city's nickname is the "Queen City", or "The Queen City of the North".

U.S. Highway 53, U.S. Highway 169, and State Highway 135 are three of the main arterial routes in the city.

Virginia is part of the Quad Cities of Eveleth, Gilbert, and Mountain Iron. The nearby town of Eveleth is the location of the United States Hockey Hall of Fame (not to be confused with the Hockey Hall of Fame, in Toronto).

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 19.2 square miles (49.7 km²), of which, 18.8 square miles (48.8 km²) of it is land and 0.4 square miles (1.0 km²) of it (1.93%) is water.

Economy

Virginia is located on the Mesabi Range, one of sub-regions within Minnesota's Iron Range. The town's economy has always been tied to the iron ore mining and processing which occurs in the area. This economic activity peaked during World War II, and has been in decline ever since.Fact|date=February 2008 Mining and processing activity still occurs in the area, although at a fraction of capacity. In the last decade, the economic focus of the area has shifted away from mining towards tourism and healthcare, the two largest employers in the area.Fact|date=February 2008

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 9,157 people, 4,333 households, and 2,270 families residing in the city. The population density was 486.1 people per square mile (187.7/km²). There were 4,692 housing units at an average density of 249.1/sq mi (96.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.17% White, 0.46% African American, 2.24% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.17% from other races, and 1.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.80% of the population. 21.4% were of Finnish, 13.3% German, 9.9% Norwegian, 8.8% Italian and 7.8% Swedish ancestry.

There were 4,333 households out of which 22.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.4% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 47.6% were non-families. 42.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.00 and the average family size was 2.73.

In the city the population was spread out with 19.0% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 23.3% from 45 to 64, and 23.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 88.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,873, and the median income for a family was $43,419. Males had a median income of $38,834 versus $22,473 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,776. About 10.6% of families and 15.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.6% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over.

People from Virginia, Minnesota

All of the following are hockey players (* denotes retired) except Mondavi who was a famous winemaker, and Berrigan who is a nonviolent peace activist.
* Robert Mondavi
* Matt Cullen
* Matt Niskanen
* Nico Sacchetti
* John Gruden *
* John Harrington - member of the 1980 Miracle on Ice hockey team that won the gold medal.
* Jack Carlson *
* Jeff Carlson *
* Steve Carlson*
* Daniel Berrigan
* Frank Haege

Points of interest

* Olcott Park Greenhouse
* Laurentian Divide
* Mesabi Trail

Education

The public high school is Virginia High School. Other area schools include Parkview Learning Center and Roosevelt Elementary. The higher education institution for the city is Mesabi Range Community and Technical College. The Virginia Public Library is also featured as an educational place for people of all ages.

References

External links

* [http://www.virginiamn.us/ Virginia, Minnesota - City Government website]
* [http://www.landoftheloonfestival.com/ Land of the Loon Festival -- June -- website]
* [http://www.rangecities.com RangeCities.com website]